NEAFL heads north

This article first appeared on sydneyswans.com.au

Photo by Taylor Harragon Photography

A crowd of more than 1000 turned out in Newcastle for the round 16 clash, which featured 10 top-up players from the Black Diamond AFL League clubs including Newcastle City, Warners Bay, Nelson Bay, Terrigal-Avoca and Killarney Vale.

The Swans reserves led at every change to register their ninth win for the season, following consecutive losses to Northern Conference heavyweights the Brisbane Lions reserves, NT Thunder and the Gold Coast Suns reserves over the last month.

Swans rookie Jake Lloyd led the way, finishing the match with 32 touches and one goal, while Tim Membrey finished as the leading goal scorer with a five-goal haul.

The team benefitted from Jesse White’s return, with the big man dominant in the ruck for the reserves, notching up 20 disposals, 10 marks and one goal.

Dean Towers added three more goals to his growing tally for the season, while Shane Biggs and Harry Cunningham were also named among the side’s best players.

After a tight start to the opening term, the Swans made use of the windy Newcastle conditions and kicked away to hold a 30-point lead at the first change.

After a strong start in the opening term, Membrey continued his impressive play in front of goal, registering four first-half goals and was the dominant forward on field.

The pressure on Eastlake’s ball carriers forced them to make a number of mistakes in the swirly conditions, and the Swans capitalised to stretch their lead to 55 points at the long break.

The Demons hit back in the second half, kicking the first three goals of the third quarter and capitalising on the Swans’ inaccuracy in front of the big sticks early in the term.

It wasn’t until the 20-minute mark of the third quarter that the Swans were able to break their goal scoring drought, with Membrey adding his fifth for the match and giving the Swans a 52-point lead at the final change.

A three-goal-to-nil final quarter to the Swans resulted in a 60-point victory to the red and the white, who will now focus their attention on cross-town rivals UWS Giants, who they will meet in the curtain raiser to next Sunday’s Sydney Derby at the SCG.

Sydney Swans reserves   6.7   11.9   12.15   15.19 109
Eastlake Demons             2.1    3.2       5.5         7.7 49

Goal Kickers: T. Membrey 5, D. Towers 3, K. Fleming , M. Mumford , H. Cunningham , J. Lloyd , W. Delahunty , J. White , J. Webster

Best Players: J. Lloyd, J. White, S. Biggs, H. Cunningham, D. Towers, T. Membrey